Machines for adhesively attaching strips to work pieces



Oct. 16, 1962 s. P. LOTARSK] 3,058,130

MACHINES FOR ADHESIVELY ATTACHING STRIPS TO WORK PIECES Filed April 14,1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 o [nvenfor Stephen P Lozars 10' h By his Ailforney Oct. 16, 1962 s. P. LOTARSKI 3,058,130

MACHINES FOR ADHESIVELY ATTACHING STRIPS TO WORK PIECES Filed April 14,1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 16, 1962 s. P. LOTARSKI 3,058,130

MACHINES FOR ADHESIVELY ATTACHING STRIPS TO WORK PIECES 5 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed April 14, 1961 Oct. 16, 1962 s. P. LOTARSKI 3,953,130

MACHINES FOR ADHESIVELY ATTACHING STRIPS TO WORK PIECES 5 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed April 14, 1961 Oct. 16, 1962 s. P. LOTARSKI 3,05

MACHINES FOR ADHESIVELY ATTACHING STRIPS TO WORK PIECES Filed April 14,1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 3,058,130 Patented Oct. 16, 1962 See 3,058,130MAHINES FOR ADHESIVELY ATTACHING STRIPS T WQRK PIECES Stephen P.Lotarski, Beverly, Mass, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation,Boston, Mass., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Apr. 14, 1961, Ser. No.103,084 7 Claims. (Cl. 12-20) This invention relates to adhesiveattachment of strip material to work pieces, and is more particularlyconcerned with the attachment to an insole of a strip having a ribportion to which an upper is lasted and a welt sewn in the constructionof a Goodyear welt shoe, and flange portions extending oppositely fromthe base of the rib and by which the strip is secured to the margin ofthe insole. The invention is herein described as embodied in a rib stripattaching machine of the type disclosed in United States Letters PatentNo. 2,933,744, dated April 26, 1960, but it will be understood that itis not limited in respect of its applicability to machines of thatparticular type.

Strip material of the type referred to is supplied to shoe manufacturersin coils or spools, each containing several hundred yards of thematerial, and is attached to insoles in machines usually having a guidethrough which the material is advanced toward an insole supported on atable, and means operated to press the flange portions of the stripagainst the insole and to feed the work. In currently availablecommercial rib strip material the flange portions are usually coatedduring manufacture of the strip with a pressure-sensitive adhesivewhereby, in response to the pressure of the previously mentionedpressing and feeding means, the strip is firmly secured to the margin ofan insole, which is usually coated with a compatible adhesive. Whileinsoles are usually prepared in the shoe factory for receiving the stripa short time before use, a substantially longer period normallyintervenes between the manufacture of the strip material and its use inthe shoe factory, during which interval the adhesive coating on theattaching flanges is apt to lose its tackiness. This is particularly thecase during the winter months, when the adhesive is affected by bothcold and heat which cause it to become dry and the stripping to becomestiff.

For restoring the flexibility of the stripping and activating theadhesive on its attaching flanges, various expedients have beenproposed, involving either subjecting the material to radiant heat, orheating it by contact with a flat heated surface, or projecting upon ita jet of hot air from a source located close to the point of operationof the pressing means. In the adhesive attachment of rib strips toinsoles none of these expedients has proved completely satisfactory. Thedistance traveled by the strip from its source of supply to the point ofapplication is relatively short; moreover, the strip is fed through themachine at a fairly rapid rate, which may be between 30 and 35 feet perminute. To treat the strip adequately under these conditions requiresheating it either at temperatures above those considered safe for thematerial, as well as for the operator, or heating it for a longerperiod, with consequent slowing down of the rate of feed.

It has been found that rib strips may be satisfactorily conditioned andthe adhesive coating on its attaching flanges activated before the stripis moved through the guide into position to be pressed against an insoleby causing the strip drawn from the source of supply to pass around theperiphery of a rotatable drum or like member heated to athermostatically controlled temperature adequate to render the stripflexible and to activate the adhesive, Without risk of burning orotherwise damaging the material regardless of the length of time it isin contact with the heated surface.

An object of the invention is, accordingly, to provide in a machine ofthe type above referred to improved means for heating a rib strip duringits travel from the source of supply to the guide by direct contact witha heated surface. In the preferred embodiment of the invention hereinillustrated, the heating means comprises, in accordance with a featureof the invention, an electrically heated drum or wheel rotatably mountedon the machine between the source of supply of the strip material andthe entrance side of the strip guide, the strip material drawn from thecoil in which it is supplied passing completely around the peripheralsurfaces of the drum before it reaches the guide, thereby insuring thatan adequate length of strip material will at all times be heated bydirect contact with the heated surface as it travels over it during acycle of operations of the machine, as well as during intervals betweenoperating cycles.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, there isprovided, between the drum and the reel or coil of strip material, afriction device or guide through which the strip is passed before it iswrapped around the drum, and which controls the feed of the strip so asto prevent slackness or overtravel.

In accordance with a still further feature of the invention, there isprovided a strip separator which engages the strip coming off the spoolor reel and guides it so as to insure its contact with the heatedperipheral surface of the drum without sliding over the lengthof stripfirs wound around the drum.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will now bedescribed in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings,and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a view in left side elevation of a rib strip attaching machinein which the invention is embodied, this view showing a strip heatingdevice wtih its cover closed;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the machine shownin FIG. 1 with the cover of the strip heating device open;

FIG. 3 is a view of the strip heating device in vertical cross section,looking from the right of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the heating device;

FIG. 5 is a front View, partly broken away, of the heating device;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the heating device takenalong the line VI-VI of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the heating device.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, the machinein which the invention is illustrated as embodied comprises a frame 10,on which is mounted a table 12 for supporting a work piece, such as aninsole 14, to which a strip 16 is to be secured. The machine is alsoprovided with a foot 18 which, through power means not shown, isoperated with an elliptical motion to press the adhesive coated flangeportions of the strip against the margin of the insole and to feed theinsole and strip progressively.

The strip to be attached to the machine is drawn from a spool or reel 20(FIG. 2) suitably supported on the machine frame and carried toward thepoint of application to the insole 14, first through a tensioning deviceor guide, generally identified by the reference character 22 (see alsoFIGS. 1, 3 and 5) and comprising a frame 24 supported by a holder 26connected to a wall 28 of a casing which houses a heating device shortlyto be described, the casing being mounted on a bracket 30 secured to themachine frame (FIGS. 4 and 7). The

strip tensioning device also comprises a pair of spaced and adapted, bytheir frictional engagement with the.

M strip, to control the feed of the strip so as to prevent slackness orovertravel.

After passing through the tensioning device or guide 22 the strip isnext wound, as shown in FIG. 2, around the peripheral surface of aheating device generally identified by the reference numeral 40, fromwhich the leading or free portion of the strip passesthrough a guide 42(see also FIG. 1) located slightly above the Work supporting surface ofthe table 12. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the strip 16 is alaminated or composite strip comprising an outer layer 16, which may beof a fibrous material, and an inner, wider layer 16" of a textilefabric, such as canvas, the two layers being adhesively unitedthroughout the major part of their respective Widths to form a two-plyrib portion. As herein used, the terms inner and outer have reference tothe location of the layers with relation to the edge of an insole towhich the strip is attached. At the entrance side of the guide 42 anupwardly tapering member 44 (FIG. 1) engages in the space between theunbonded portions of the two layers and causes them to spread outward inopposite directions to assume substantially horizontal positionsrelative to the upstanding rib portion, to form flanges which arepressed against the insole by the foot 18 which is located close to theexit side of the guide 42.

The strip heating device comprises a drum 46 (FIGS. 2-6) housed in thecasing formed by the previously mentioned wall 28, a side wall or plate48 (FIGS. 2 and 3), and a cover 52 mounted on hinges 54, 56 to permitswinging it open for winding a length of strip around the drum when anew coil of strip material is placed in the machine, the cover 52 beingnormally locked in closed position by means of a screw 58 extendingthrough the plate 48 and engaging in a socket provided in a member 60attached to the cover 52 (FIGS. 2 and 4).

The drum 46 rotates on carbon bearings 62, 64 (FIG. 3) about a shaft 66extending through a bushing 68 mounted in the hub 70 of the drum andfixed thereto by a setscrew 72. The drum is heated by a heating unit 74comprising an outer coil 75, of 160 watts, and an inner coil 76, of 120watts. The two coils are connected by leads 77, 78 to a brush ringassembly comprising an outer ring 80 (FIG. 3), an inner ring 82, and aring insulator 84. The rings 80, 82 contact a pair of carbon brushes 86,88 mounted in holders including insulator bushings 90, 92 mounted in aterminal box 93 and extending through the housing plate 48, a plate 94fixed by a setscrew 96 to the shaft 66, and a heat reflector plate 98secured in spaced relation to the plate 94 by studs 100. Current issupplied to the brushes 86, 88 from a suitable source through leads 102(FIG. 4) connected to terminals on the brush holders.

The coils 75, 76 are also connected by leads 106 (FIGS. 3 and 5) to athermoswitch 108 set to control the heating of the inner coil 76 in suchmanner that, when a main switch (not shown) is closed to supply currentto the heating device, the coils 75, 76 are heated until the temperatureof the strip contacting surface of the drum reaches approximately 280F., whereupon the thermoswitch cuts out the inner coil 76 until theeffective temperature at the outer peripheral surface of the drum dropsto about 265 F., when the thermoswitch again renders the inner coileffective to supply the needed additional heat. It should be noted thatthe heating unit 74 is mounted at the side of the drum first engaged bythe strip, thus affording the strip the opportunity to become thoroughlyheated before it is advanced through the guide 42 to the point ofapplication to the insole.

A heat reflector plate 110 similar to the plate 98 is provided on theside of the drum 46 opposite that on which said plate 98 is mounted, theplate 110 being connected in spaced relation to the drum by means ofstuds 112. A third heat reflector plate 114 (FIG. 2) is secured to theinner side of the cover 52 in spaced relation thereto by means of studs116. Each of the three reflector plates has a highly polished surfacefacing in the direction of the drum, to cause the heat to beconcentrated in the area of maximum usefulness, while at the Same timedeflecting heat away from the outer surface of the housing to maintainit cool. The spaces between the plates and the respective adjacentplates provide for desirable circulation of air.

Extending through the wall 28 of the drum casing is a strip guidingfinger 118 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 5) the tip of which engages in a groove 120formed around the peripheral surface of the drum and which acts toseparate the two turns of the strip wrapped around the drum so as toprevent one of them from running over the other and to insure that eachwill be in direct and intimate contact with the heating surface of thedrum.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the strip 16 is carried around the drumfor one complete turn and once again for substantially an additionalhalf turn. The drum preferably has an outer diameter such that the totallength of strip in contact with the heated peripheral surface of thedrum is substantially twice the length required for attachment to aninsole of mean size. By this arrangement an adequate supply of preheatedstrip is always available, without necessitating the employment of heatat high temperatures. Since, as above noted, the effective temperatureat the strip contacting surface is controlled so as not to exceedsubstantially 280 F., the strip may be left in contact with the drum forindefinite periods without danger of being scorched or its adhesivelyunited layers becoming delaminated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine for attaching to a work piece an adhesive coated stripdrawn from a source of supply, said machine having a work support, amember operated to press successive portions of the strip against a workpiece on the work support and to feed the strip and work pieceprogressively, and a guide located adjacent the work support and throughwhich the strip is advanced toward the point of operation of saidmember, a rotatable heating device interposed between said guide and thesource of strip supply and having a surface around which the strip drawnfrom said source of supply is wrapped to condition the strip forattachment to the work piece before it is advanced through said guide.

2. In a machine for attaching to a work piece an adhesive coated stripdrawn from a source of supply, said machine having a work support, amember operated to press successive portions of the strip against a workpiece on the work support and to feed the strip and work pieceprogressively, and a guide located adjacent the Work support and throughwhich the strip is advanced toward the point of operation of saidmember, a rotatable heating device interposed between said guide and thesource of strip supply and having a surface around which the strip drawnfrom said source of supply is wrapped completely for at least one turn,to condition the adhesive on the strip for attachment of the strip tothe work piece before it is advanced through said guide.

3. In a machine for attaching to a work piece an adhesive coated strip.drawn from a source of supply, said machine having a work support, amember operated to press successive portions of the strip against a workpiece on the Work support and to feed the strip and work pieceprogressively, and a guide located adjacent the work support and throughwhich the strip is advanced toward the point of operation of saidmember, a rotatable drum interposed between said guide and the source ofstrip supply and having a peripheral surface around which the strip iscarried for one complete turn and again for substantially an additionalhalf turn, electrical heating means within the drum to heat saidperipheral surface so as to activate the adhesive on the strip beforethe strip is advanced through said guide, and a thermoswitch within thedrum to control the heating means so as to maintain said surface heatedat a selected temperature.

4. In a machine for attaching to a work piece an adhesive coated stripdrawn from a source of supply, said machine having a work support, amember operated to press successive portions of the strip against a workpiece on the work support and to feed the strip and work pieceprogressively, and a guide located adjacent the work support and throughwhich the strip is advanced toward the point of operation of saidmember, a freely rotatable heating device interposed between said guideand the source of strip supply and having a surface around which thestrip drawn from said source of supply is wrapped to condition theadhesive on the strip for attachment of the strip to the work piecebefore it is advanced through said guide, and strip tensioning meansbetween the source of supply and said heating device to guide the stripso as to insure intimate contact thereof with said surface of theheating device and to control the feed of the strip.

5. In a machine for attaching to a work piece an adhesive coated stripdrawn from a source of supply, said machine having a work support, amember operated to press successive portions of the strip against a Workpiece on the work support and to feed the strip and work pieceprogressively, and a guide located adjacent the work support and throughwhich the strip is advanced toward the point of operation of saidmember, a freely rotatable heating device interposed between said guideand the source of strip supply and having a surface around which thestrip drawn from said source of supply is wrapped to condition theadhesive on the strip for attachment of the strip to the work piecebefore it is advanced through said guide, and strip tensioning meansbetween the source of supply and the heating device comprising a frame,guide rolls rotatably mounted in the frame, and resilient membersafiixed to the frame and arranged for frictional engagement with thestrip to guide it into intimate contact with said surface of the heatingdevice and to control the feed of the strip.

6. In a machine for attaching to a work piece an adhesive coated stripdrawn from a source of supply, said machine having a work support, amember operated to press successive portions of the strip against a workpiece on the work support and to feed the strip and work pieceprogressively, and a guide located adjacent the work support and throughwhich the strip is advanced toward the point of operation of saidmember, a freely rotatable electrically heated drum interposed betweensaid guide and the source of strip supply and having a peripheralsurface around which the strip drawn from said source of supply is woundfor one complete turn and again for substantially an additional halfturn to condition the adhesive on the strip for attachment of the stripto the work piece before it is advanced through said guide, and a stripseparating member adjacent the strip contacting surface of the drum toguide the strip as it is wound around said contacting surface so as tomaintain the adjacent turns of strip in spaced relation.

7. In a machine for attaching to a work piece an adhesive coated stripdrawn from. the source of supply, said machine having a work support, amember operated to press successive portions of the strip against a Workpiece on the support and to feed the strip and work piece progressively,and a guide located adjacent the work support and through which thestrip is advanced toward the point of operation of said member, a freelyrotatable electrically heated drum interposed between said guide and thesource of strip supply and having a peripheral surface around which thestrip drawn from said source of supply is wound for a first completeturn and a second time for substantially an additional half turn tocondition the adhesive on the strip for attachment of the strip to thework piece before it is advanced through said guide, and a. memberengaging in a groove formed in said peripheral surface of the drum tocause the strip as it is wound a second time around the drum to bespaced from the first turn.

Griswold et a1 Sept. 29, 1942 Mariner Nov. 30, 1943

